Using a Modified Plasma Reactor to Decontaminate Waters
Two research groups from the University of Cordoba (UCO) discovered a new method of removing high dye concentrations from contaminated water using a modified plasma reactor.
In a study published in the Chemosphere journal, researchers Juan Amaero-Gahete, Francisco J. Romero-Salguero, and Maria C. Garcia detailed how they altered the design of the surfatron to generate a specific type of plasma that creates reactive species in water, including hydroxyl radicals and nitrogen radicals.
“What we’ve done is to place a small piece of silicon in the quartz discharge tube, allowing a different plasma to be generated, one that is not filamentary and is more efficient at creating active species when interacting with water,” explained UCO Prof. Garcia.
The generated oxidizing species can kill microorganisms and degrade organic compounds, making the modified plasma reactor applicable to water remediation applications.
However, to activate the decontamination process, UCO Prof. Romero said the plasma needs to act remotely:
“For this to happen, the plasma is not introduced into the water. Rather it is made to act remotely so that between the water and the plasma there is a zone of air where numerous reactions occur due to collisions between the excited species and the molecules of oxygen, nitrogen and water vapor, and reactive species that diffuse into the liquid and end up with the contaminants are generated.”
To measure the decontaminating potential of this plasma type generated using the redesigned surfatron, the team tested the plasma in water with high concentrations of methylene blue dye. The results showed the process is energy efficient as the dye was eliminated faster than other treatments.
Read the full article here to learn more about the capabilities of the upgraded plasma reactor in decontaminating waters.
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